internally inconsistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "internally inconsistent" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a statement or argument that contains conflicting or contradictory elements within itself. Example: The politician's speech was internally inconsistent, as she argued for both higher taxes and increased government spending at the same time.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The perceptions of physicians in their use of physiological data and the actual use of such data in decision-making for cardiac problems in the ICU are internally inconsistent (within-decision-maker inconsistency) [ 56].

Critical Care

The election law's provisions are internally inconsistent.

The New York Times

Mr Galbraith believes these "doomsday scenarios" are "internally inconsistent".

The Economist

Furthermore, because of their multiple authorship, they are always internally inconsistent.

The New Yorker

But the decisions, one each from Oregon and Louisiana, were badly fractured and internally inconsistent.

The New York Times

"We have a patchwork of state laws, often internally inconsistent," he said.

The New York Times

Two leading nonprofit accounting experts examined the statements and found them to be incomplete and internally inconsistent.

The New York Times

His public statements about the operation's aims, objectives, and strategy have been clear, but incomplete and internally inconsistent.

The New Yorker

"My critique was, how can you call it a plan when it was internally inconsistent?" she said.

The New York Times

The more ignorant, distracted, and internally inconsistent you believe Trump to be, the more likely you are to think you might sway him.

The New Yorker

The story is uneven, with its best moments undercut by a plot that is at times poorly explained and internally inconsistent.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "internally inconsistent" to critique arguments, theories, or systems where the constituent parts undermine the overall coherence or validity.

Common error

Avoid using "internally inconsistent" loosely. Ensure that the inconsistency is genuinely internal to the subject, rather than a conflict with external factors or differing opinions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "internally inconsistent" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying nouns to describe something that contains contradictory elements or lacks internal coherence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage aligns with standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Critical Care

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "internally inconsistent" is a frequently used adjective phrase to describe something containing contradictory elements or lacking internal coherence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal contexts, its primary function is to critically analyze and point out flaws in reasoning, arguments, or systems. When using this phrase, clarity and precision are essential to accurately convey the nature of the inconsistency. Alternatives include "self-contradictory" and "logically flawed", each with subtle nuances that may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Therefore, be mindful of the precise meaning you intend to convey and choose the most fitting expression accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

internally contradictory

A direct synonym, emphasizing the contradiction.

inconsistent within itself

Rephrases the original meaning for emphasis.

self-contradictory

Emphasizes the direct contradiction within something.

not logically consistent

Highlights the absence of logical agreement.

mutually exclusive

Highlights that elements cannot coexist or both be true.

containing contradictions

Focuses on the presence of conflicting elements.

logically flawed

Focuses on a defect in reasoning.

conceptually incoherent

Stresses a lack of clarity or logical connection in an idea.

self-refuting

Indicates that something disproves itself.

paradoxical

Emphasizes that something contains seemingly contradictory aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "internally inconsistent" in a sentence?

You can use "internally inconsistent" to describe something that has conflicting elements within it. For example: "The witness's testimony was "internally inconsistent", making it unreliable."

What are some alternatives to saying "internally inconsistent"?

Alternatives include "self-contradictory", "mutually exclusive", or "logically flawed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "internally inconsistent" or "externally inconsistent"?

"Internally inconsistent" refers to contradictions within something, while "externally inconsistent" describes conflicts with outside factors. The correct phrase depends on whether the inconsistency arises from within or from external sources.

What does it mean for an argument to be "internally inconsistent"?

It means that the argument contains premises or statements that contradict each other, undermining its logical validity. This contrasts with an argument that might be factually incorrect but logically sound.